Excavator Landscape Rake

ABSTRACT

A landscape rake attachment for an excavation machine. An exemplary attachment may have a grasping plate with a back surface sized to rest against a teeth edge of the machine bucket and a front surface to make contact with a machine thumb. An anti-slip plate may extend along a top edge of the grasping plate with a width greater than the depth of the grasping plate. A finger mounting plate may be coupled to a lower edge of the grasping plate and extend horizontally from each side of the lower edge. A plurality of fingers may be coupled to the finger mounting plate and extending downward from the finger mounting plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from U.S. patent application,Ser. No. 60/934,181, filed Jun. 12, 2007, by William D. McNeil,incorporated by reference herein and for which benefit of the prioritydate is hereby claimed

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an attachment for excavation equipmentand more particularly, relates to an attachment for excavation equipmentutilizing a thumb.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Excavation equipment with a hydraulic forearm and a bucket are designedto scoop and transport soil. Some excavators incorporate a hydraulicthumb. The thumb is used to remove debris, for example, rocks, twigs,and roots. Some applications may require grading of the land in additionto removing soil and debris. To accomplish this task, other equipmentmay be required. This increases the overall cost of a project byrequiring maintenance of the additional equipment and transportingadditional equipment to each construction site.

To expand the use of an excavator, some designs have attempted toreplace the bucket with a grading attachment. However, the process ofattaching the grading attachment requires the operator to bolt thegrading attachment to the bucket or, in some applications, removal ofthe bucket to attach the grading attachment. This often requires theoperator to exit the machine or have additional labor on standby toposition the grading attachment and to bolt or manually attach thegrading equipment. This results in inefficient use of labor or equipmentoperator time. The excavator must select between wasting time byswitching between excavating and grading attachments and wasting time byleaving a project half complete and returning to the project later.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a novel device, system, and method for anattachment for an excavator with a machine bucket and actuating thumb.The exemplary attachment may have a grasping plate with a back surfacesized to rest against a teeth edge of the machine bucket and a frontsurface to make contact with a machine thumb. An anti-slip plate mayextend along a top edge of the grasping plate with a width greater thanthe depth of the grasping plate. A finger mounting plate may be coupledto a lower edge of the grasping plate and extend horizontally from eachside of the lower edge. A plurality of fingers may be coupled to thefinger mounting plate and extending downward from the finger mountingplate.

Embodiments of the invention may have one or more of the followingfeatures. The first embodiment of the invention may be wherein thegrasping plate may be angled from a plane of the plurality of figures.In another embodiment, an adjustable mounting bracket may couple thegrasping plate to the finger mounting plate, allowing rotation of thefinger mounting plate about an axis running lengthwise along a top edgeof the finger plate. In another embodiment, an adjustable mountingbracket may couple the grasping plate to the finger mounting plate,allowing rotation of the finger mounting plate about an axis runninglongitudinally with the plurality of fingers and through a centeredpoint of the finger mounting plate. In addition, the adjustable mountingbracket coupling the grasping plate to the finger mounting plate may bespring ratcheted. In another embodiment, the grasping plate may have arippled surface with ripples running lengthwise and perpendicular to thedirection on a plane of the plurality of the fingers. In yet anotherembodiment, a horizontal raising plate may couple each side edge of thefinger mounting plate, each side edge of the grasping plate, and eachside edge of the anti-slip plate.

Embodiments of the invention may have one or more of the followingadvantages. Embodiments of the invention may allow the operator toswitch from excavating and removing debris to grading of a constructionsurface without exiting the excavation machine or the need foradditional labor. Embodiments of the invention may allow for a costeffective attachment without additional modification or attachments tothe machine bucket.

The present invention is not intended to be limited to a system ormethod that must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or featuresof the invention. It is also important to note that the presentinvention is not limited to the exemplary or primary embodimentsdescribed herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinaryskill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the presentinvention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bebetter understood by reading the following detailed description, takentogether with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary attachment according to afirst exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a side profile view of an exemplary attachment according tothe first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary attachment according tothe rotational exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a side profile view of an exemplary attachment according tothe rotational exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2C is a top plane view of an exemplary attachment according to therotational exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the attachment 10 may be used withexcavation equipment (not shown). A machine forearm 100 with a machinebucket 109 and attached thumb 112 may be used to grab and use theattachment 10. The attachment 10 may have a grasping plate or block 115.The grasping plate 115 may have an anti-slip plate 118 runninglengthwise along a top edge of the grasping plate 115. On each side ofthe grasping plate 115 and anti-slip plate 118 are horizontal raisingplates 121. The grasping plate 115 is coupled along a bottom edge to afinger mounting plate 124. A plurality of fingers 127 extend from thefinger mounting plate 124.

The grasping plate 115, the anti-slip plate 118, and the finger mountingplate may be made of steel plating. The plates may be fastened togetherby, for example but not limited to, welding, epoxy or fasteners. Theplurality of fingers 127 may have a variety of shapes and sizes. Theplurality of fingers 127 may include a variety of materials to assemblefinger-mounting plates. These may be, but not limited to, rectangle,square, round, triangle, or plate stock, rebar, and I-beams. The numberof fingers may be selected based on the length of the finger mountingplate and the intended grading use. The attachment is not limited tofingers but may include, for example, a grading or scraping blade. Thefingers may be permanently attached or semi-permanently attached toallow for changing of fingers due to wear or damage. The plurality offingers 127 may include addition of chambers or bends. These may be, butnot limited to, rectangle, square, round, triangle, or plate stock,rebar, and I beams. The length and design of the fingers may bespecifically designed for the intended use of the attachment.

In an exemplary design for a two-ton typical machine, the fingermounting plate 124 or rake length may be about, for example, 60 inches.The grasping plate 115 may be, for example, 2 inch by 6 inch rectangularstock. The finger mounting plate 124 may be 4″×4″ angle iron. Fingers127 or teeth may be, for example, ¼″×1½″×0-12″. The size of the fingermounting plate 124, the grasping plate 115, and fingers 127 may dependon customer's needs and engineering calculations to withstand machineloads and reasonable overloads. Spacing and length of fingers may alsovary from, for example, 0″-12″ depending on the customer's needs.Alternate teeth designs may include bent teeth designs, which mayprovide additional strength relative to straight teeth. In anotherdesign, triangle shaped teeth may be used. The attachment 10 componentscan be made out of any metal material that will sustain usual operatingloads and reasonable overloads. Any metal used may or may not beheat-treated. Sizing of members of rake weld joints and amount of weldmetal shall be sufficient to hold based on intended use.

In another exemplary embodiment, the grasping plate 115 may have anundulating or saw-tooth surface. The undulating surface of the graspingplate may mimic the toothed surface of the thumb 112. The two surfacesmate when pressed together providing for additional strength andresistance to slippage of the attachment 10 from the teeth of themachine bucket 109 and the thumb 112. In an additional embodiment, theattachment 10 may include a kickstand (not shown). The kickstand mayallow the attachment 10 to remain in an upright position when notcoupled to the machine bucket 109 and the thumb 112. The uprightposition allows the operator to couple the attachment without theassistance of the operator or others to position the attachment 10. Thekickstand may be, for example, one or more legs extending from the rearof the finger mounting plate. The kickstand may be spring loaded toallow for deflection due to unintended contact thus preventing permanentdamage.

Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, a rotational exemplary embodiment ofthe attachment 20 may be used with excavation equipment (not shown). Amachine forearm 100 with a machine bucket 109 and attached thumb 112 maybe used to grab and use the attachment 10. The attachment 10 may have agrasping plate or block 115. The grasping plate 115 may have ananti-slip plate 118 running lengthwise along a top edge of the graspingplate 115. On each side of the grasping plate 115 and anti-slip plate118 are horizontal raising plates 121, as previously described withregard to the first exemplary embodiment.

According to the rotational exemplary embodiment, the grasping plate 115may be coupled to a finger mounting plate 124 via an adjustable hinge oran adjustable mounting plate 130. The adjustable mounting plate 130allows the finger mounting plate 124 and plurality of fingers 124 torotate the rake. This design allows the operator to change rake anglesin relationship to the bucket 109. For example, when grading or rakingembankments, the operator may wish to change the angle of the rakerelative to the angle of the machine forearm 100.

According to one exemplary construction of adjustable mounting plate124, a circular plate about 1″ thick with a 2′ diameter may havecorresponding holes drilled out 133 at, for example, 0 degrees, 45degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees, 270 degrees,and 315 degrees. The finger mounting plate 124 may be selectivelyconnected to the holes with bolts or pins 136.

In another exemplary construction of adjustable mounting plate 124, theadjustable plate may be spring ratcheted to allow rotation without anoperator or additional assistance. For example, sequentially pressing oneach side of the rake may cause the ratchet to release and rotatefreely. When the operator then presses on one side of the rake itrotates freely and clicks until the desired angle is reached. Next theoperator presses on the opposite side of the rake to lock the rake intothe desired angle. When the operator desires to rotate the angle again,the operator presses sequentially on each side.

According to another exemplary construction, the grasping plate 115 maybe coupled to a finger mounting plate 124 via adjustable hinges,allowing a change in pitch of the finger mounting plate 124 relative tothe grasping plate 115. The angle of the finger may be changed between 0and 180 degrees. The angle may be selected based on intended use oroperator preference. The adjustable hinge may be set to a specific anglewith a bolt or pin, similar to the previously described spring ratchetedsystem. The hinge may also use a similar system to allow an angle of therotation to be changed by pushing, for example, sequentially in abackwards direction on the rake and in a forward direction on the raketo cause the ratchet to release and rotate freely. When the operatorthen press on the forward or backward direction on the rake, it rotatesfreely and clicks until the desired angle is reached. Next the operatorpresses in the opposite direction to lock the rake into the desiredangle. When the operator desires to rotate the angle again, the operatoragain presses in a sequentially forward and then backward direction.

Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art areconsidered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is notto be limited except by the following claims.

1. An attachment for an excavator with a machine bucket and an actuatingthumb comprising: a grasping plate with a back surface sized to restagainst a teeth edge of the machine bucket, and a front surface sized tomake contact with the actuating thumb; an anti-slip plate extendingalong a top edge of the grasping plate with a width greater than a depthof the grasping plate; a finger mounting plate coupled to a lower edgeof the grasping plate; and a plurality of fingers coupled to the fingermounting plate and extending downward from the finger mounting plate. 2.An attachment of claim 1, wherein the grasping plate is angled betweenabout 15 and 75 degrees from a plane of the plurality of fingers and aplane of the grasping plate.
 3. An attachment of claim 1, furthercomprising: an adjustable mounting bracket coupling the grasping plateto the finger mounting plate wherein the adjustable mounting plateprovides rotation of the finger mounting plate about an axis runninglengthwise along a top edge of the finger plate.
 4. An attachment ofclaim 3, wherein the adjustable mounting bracket coupling the graspingplate to the finger mounting plate is spring ratcheted.
 5. An attachmentof claim 1, further comprising: an adjustable mounting bracket couplingthe grasping plate to the finger mounting plate wherein the adjustablemounting plate provides rotation of the finger mounting plate about anaxis running longitudinally with the plurality of fingers.
 6. Anattachment of claim 5, wherein the adjustable mounting bracket couplingthe grasping plate to the finger mounting plate is spring ratcheted. 7.An attachment of claim 1, wherein the grasping plate has an undulatingsurface with groves running perpendicular to the direction on a plane ofthe plurality of the fingers.
 8. An attachment of claim 1, wherein theanti-slip plate extends from a top edge of the grasping plate in arearward direction perpendicular to the grasping plate.
 9. An attachmentof claim 1, wherein the finger mounting plate has a bottom portionextending downward and parallel with the plurality of fingers, and a topportion extending forward in a direction perpendicular to the pluralityof fingers.
 10. An attachment of claim 9, wherein a horizontal raisingplate couples a side edge of the finger mounting plate, a side edge ofthe grasping plate, and a side edge of the anti-slip plate.
 11. A methodfor using an attachment with an excavator having a machine bucket and anactuating thumb comprising the actions of: positioning a teeth edge ofthe machine bucket against a back surface of a grasping plate;positioning the actuating thumb onto a front surface of the graspingplate; pressing the grasping plate between the machine bucket and theactuating thumb; extending an arm of the excavator; and retracting thearm in a manner that causes a plurality of fingers extending from afinger mounting plate coupled to the grasping plate to scrape anexcavation surface.
 12. A method for using an attachment of claim 11,further comprising the actions of: releasing the actuating thumb fromthe front surface of the grasping plate; removing the teeth edge of themachine bucket from against the back surface of the grasping plate; andexcavating soil with the machine bucket.
 13. A method for using anattachment of claim 11, further comprising the actions of: adjusting anangle of rotation of the finger mounting plate about an axis runninglengthwise along a top edge of the finger plate via an adjustablemounting bracket coupling the grasping plate to the finger mountingplate.
 14. A method for using an attachment of claim 13, whereinadjusting the angle of rotation involves utilizing a spring ratchetedsystem.
 15. A method for using an attachment of claim 11, furthercomprising actions of: adjusting an angle of rotation of the fingermounting plate about an axis running longitudinally with the pluralityof the fingers.
 16. A method for using an attachment of claim 15,wherein adjusting the angle of rotation involves utilizing a springratcheted system.
 17. A method for using an attachment of claim 11,wherein the grasping plate has an undulating surface with groovesrunning perpendicular to the direction of a plane of the plurality ofthe fingers and the action of pressing the grasping plate between themachine bucket and actuating thumb causes teeth on the actuating thumbto be positioned within the grooves.
 18. A method for using anattachment of claim 11, wherein an anti-slip plate extends from a topedge of the grasping plate in a rearward direction perpendicular to thegrasping plate.
 19. A method for using an attachment of claim 12,further comprising actions of: allowing the attachment to rest in anupright position on a kickstand.
 20. A method for attaching anattachment with an excavator having a machine bucket and actuating thumbconsisting essentially of the actions of: positioning a teeth edge ofthe machine bucket against a back surface of a grasping plate;positioning the actuating thumb onto a front surface of the graspingplate; and pressing the grasping plate between the machine bucket andactuating thumb.